Combination-lock.



PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

W. AMSTALDEN.

COMBINATION LOOK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

PATENT FFICE.

OF ONE- HALF TO IRVINIIOXSIE, OF AMADOR CITY, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,116, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed Augu st 2 6 1 903.

To all whom it may concern.- Beit knownthat I, WILLIAM AMSTALDEN, a citizen of the United States, residingat Amador City, in the cou nty of Amador and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combination-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in safe and vault locks of the type known as combination-locks. Its object is to provide a lock the movable parts of which are so constructed and assembled that no clue as to any one or more of the figures or letters of a combination may be conveyed to any of the senses of the person who may be trying to open the lock; in other words, to provide, a lock which cannot be picked or opened by experts or others not having the correct combination.

It consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of same. Fig. 3 is a front View of tumbler-disks. Fig. 4 is a side view of same with tumblerdisks in position to be turned in unison. Fig. 5 is a front view of locking-disk. Fig. 6 is a side view of block and locking-disk in partial section and tumblers, showing findingkey in place. Fig. 7 is a back view of a tumbler-disk, showing manner of operating key. A represents .the door of the safe or vault to which the lock is applied.

a is the knob of the lock, projecting on the outside of the door andrigid with the spindle 2, which extends through the door to operate the lock mechanism.

3 is the usual dial, having circumferential gradations and movable. relative to a fixed point or mark 4 on the outside lock-plate.

The lock comprises a cylindrical block or body portion 5, secured rigidly to the inside of the door concentrically with spindle 2. A metal disk or locking member having three perforations 7 8 9, disposed at difierent distances from its center, fits against the end of the block 5 and is held thereto by means of a flange 10 on collar 11, which is keyed in the block and embraces spindle 2 and has a porotherwise disk 6 could not be turned.

Serial No. 170,841. (No model.)

tion extending beyond disk 6. The latter has a loose fit on the collar, so that it may be freely turned about the collar when the spring-pressed pins or detents 12 in block 5, normally engaging. in the perforations 7 8 9, are disengaged. The disk has a peripheral notch 13, adapted to engage the bolt-throwing mechanism and prevent the opening of the door when the pins 12 are projected into the .60 notches 7 8 9. To unlock the door, the pins must first be ejected from the perforations, whereupon the disk may be turned to release the bolts. This disk-locking member and its spring-detent membersform essential features 'of my invention. The means for finding the combination and for releasing the locking member are other important features.

A non-rotatable sleeve 14, having a feather 15, embraces and is slidable on the projecting 7o portion of the collar 11 and carries the disks 16 17 18, corresponding to the tumblers or dogs of the ordinary combination-lock. These several disks 16 17 18,which are of successivelyincreasing diameter, are separated, from each other by thin washers 19 andare rotatable on sleeve 14:. They carry respective pins 20 21 22 on theirfaces adj aceut disk 5,disposed parallel with the common axis of the disks and at distances therefrom corresponding to the dis- 8o tances that the respective holes 7 8 9 in disk 5 are from the axis of the latter-that is, the longest and outermost pin 22 on the largest of the tumbler-disks 18 will register with hole 9 in disk 5,when disk 18 is turned to bring its pin opposite hole 9. Correspondingly pin 21 on the next largest tumbler-disk 17 will register with hole 8 and pin 20 of disk 16 with hole 7, so that when all the pins are brought opposite their respective holes and the knob 99 pulled outward the pins will enter the holes, press the pins 12 back into block 5, and allow the disk 6 to turn. The several pins 20 21 22, while all necessarily of different lengths, have their ends terminating in the same plane, and 5 the space that the disks 16 17 l8.may travel toward disk 6 is just sufficient to allow these ends whenengaged in holes 7 8 9 to come flush with the surface of disk 6, adjacent block 5;

The 100 means for operating these disk-tumblers comprises a disk 23, screwed on and keyed rigidly to the end of spindle 2, which projects beyond collar 11 and sleeve 14. 1

adapted, one or the other, when spindle 2 is rotated a limited distance in either direction, to engage a radially-disposed pin 26 on disktumbler 18. Corresponding radial pins 27 28 are fixed in the respective disks 17 16 and project into the path of the pins 22 21.

The several pin projections on the disktumblers are suitably counterbalanced, as by boring the disks on their heavier sides, so that the disks will be in absolute balance on sleeve 14 at any point in'their rotation.

30 31 32 represent recesses or blind holes in disk 6, disposed in the loci of'the several pins 20 21 22. These recesses are intended to prevent any one from opening the lock who may have found one or two numbers of the com.- bination or any number less than the whole, Were it not for these recesses it might be possible to pull on the knob and then manipulate the disks until the stray pin sliding over the smooth surface of the disk would drop into its hole, and thus allow all the springpins to be ejected.

An advantage of this look is that one never knows when a correct number of the combination has been found, or, what is the same thing, when a pin 20, 21, or 22 is over its respective hole in disk 6,v and the moment the knob is pulled the operator is foiled and must begin anew.

In operation assume the parts to be assembled in their proper order and-the countersunk pins 12 of block 5 protruded into holes 7 8 9 of disk 6, in which position the device is locked. The knob a is turned to the right four or more times in the usual fashion and the first number of the combination represented on dial 3 brought opposite mark 4. This'action of the knob has caused the spindle and disk 23110 turn. One or the other of the pins 25 of disk 23, which shall for convenience be termed the combination-disk, engages the radial stop 26 on tumbler-disk 18. The latter revolves with the combinationdisk, and in its travel its pin 22 engages stop 27 of disk 17 and carries it along'until finally its pin 21 engages stop 28 of the smallest tumbler-disk 16, so that after three or four turns of the knob all the disk-tumblers are turning in the same direction in unison, and when the dial is stopped with the first figure of the combination' opposite point 4 the pin 20 on the innermost disk-tumbler will stand opposite its hole. The knob is then turned in the opposite direction one or more turns or a fraction of a turn, according as the combination calls for, till the second figure of the combination is opposite mark 4. In this reverse movement the combination-disk 23 before it makes a complete revolution picks up the outer disk-tumbler 18, carries it a certain distance, and it in turn picks up the next disktumbler 17, and when the dial is stopped at the right point, as above indicated, the second pin 21 will stand opposite its hole 8. Care must be taken not to turn the knob too far to carry the pin past its hole or to disturb the first-located pin; otherwise operations must be begun over again. The knob is then turned in the opposite direction again or in the direction of its original turning the proper number of turns or fraction of a turn to bring the third figure opposite point 4, which locates the third pin 22 opposite its hole 9. The operator then pulls on the knob. Sleeve 14, which is made to move in and out with spindle 2 by reason of the flange 33 engaging loosely a reduced portion of the spindle adjacent disk 23, carries the disk-tumblers toward perforated disk 6, and the pins 20 21 22 enter their respective holes 7 8 9 to depress the spring-pins 12 and allow disk 6 to turn and open the lock, as previously described.

Should the combination be lost or changed, it is determined by means of a key 34 and key-post 35, secured to block 5, and here shown as disposed adjacent to notch 13 in disk 6. The key has a curved arm adapted when turned against the periphery of one or the other of the tumbler-disks to engage a ward or notch 36 in the latter.

In operation the key is inserted over post 35 and turned thereon as a pivot and the knob revolved until the key engages the Ward of the first or smallest disk-tumbler 16, which brings pin 20 opposite hole 7. The operator then observes the figure on dial 3 which is opposite mark 4. Assume this figure to be 30. This then is the first number of the combination. The key is then engaged with the periphery of the second tumbler-disk and the knob turned in the opposite direction until the key engages as before, which brings pin 21 opposite'hole 8, the operator taking care to observe how many full turns, if any, the knob was turned during this second movement and what figure was opposite mark 4 when the key engaged the notch. Assume the knob to have been turned two full turns and the figure to be 30. This taken with the number of turns is the second element of the combination. Next the key is moved out so as to engage the ward-notch in disktumbler 18, the knob turned in the opposite direction till the key is engaged, the distance the knob has moved and the number opposite mark 4 observed,'and the operator has the third pin in place before its hole 9 and knows the third element of the combination. The latter is assumed to be a part of a turn to bring the dial with figure 82 opposite mark 4. Thus the combination would be four turns to the left to 30, two turns to the right to 30, then to the left to 82.

With two pins or screws 25 in disk 23. the number of possible combinations equals the square of the number of holes 24 in disk 23. In the present device I have shown sixteen holes. Consequently the number of combinations possible is two hundred and fiftysix. Usually locks of this character employing a co1nbination-disk, as 23, have but one pin similar to pins 25. Accordingly the nu mber of possible combinations in those locks is limited to the number of holes.

The points to be emphasized in this look are the spring-pressed detents in block 5, the corresponding perforations in locking member 6, the shallow depressions or blind holes on the front of disk 6, the means for disengaging the detent-s, the use of two pins or screws, and the plurality of holes inthe combination-disk 23, the reciprocating spindle, and the combination finder or key 34:.-

The great advantage of this look over those ordinarily in use is that in ordinary looks when the first, second, or third figure or letter of a combination is found there is some disturbance inside the lock which to the sensitive ear or hand of the expert conveys the knowledge that the correct number hasbeen found. It may be a click or a slight jar as a dog falls into its proper place. Having found one number it is a simple matter with the expert, by trying one number afteranother or by other methods known to him, to find the remainder. With this lock, however,

When the first, second, or third number is found nothing happens which will convey to any of the senses that a pin 20, 21, or 22 is in positionbefore its hole. Even should a person not knowing the combination find the first or second number there is no way of his knowing that he has found them, for should he pull out on the knob the third pin would engage in one of the blind holes in disk 6 and spoil his combination as far as he had gone and necessitate his beginning afresh.

As to the use of two screw-pins 25 instead of one in disk 23 aside from the advantage in the increased number of possible combina:

tions, where one pin only is used it is possible on finding the first figure of the combination to find the second and third, since the number of turns between each number is always the same; but with this device the number of turns in any one direction will depend on the position of screw-pins 25 relative to each other.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a lock, the combination of a stationary part, a rotatable perforated member, spring-detent means engageable with said member, a spindle, tumbler-disks operatable by the turning of the spindle and means carried by said tumbler-disks to engage said detent means and release said rotatable member,

2. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated disk, spring-detent means engageable in said perforations, rotatable tumblerdisks, means for rotating said tumbler-disks and means carried by said disks to engage the perforations in said rotatable member.

3. Ina lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated disk, spring-detent means adapted to be engaged with said perforations, independently-rotatable tumbler-disks, means for rotating said tumbler-disks and pins carried by said tumblendisks to engage the perforated disk.

4. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated disk, spring-detent members engaging said perforations, independently-rotatable tumbler -disks, projections on said tumbler-disks, adapted to engage with the perforated disk, and means including a rotatable and reciprocable spindle for operating the tumbler-disks.

5. In alock, the combination of a rotatable perforated disk, detent means for holding said disk stationary, a spindle, tumbler-disks, means for operating the tumbler-disks and means carried by the tumbler-disks for releasing the perforated "disk.

6. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable locking member, detent means adapted to engage with said member to hold it in locked position, and means including rotatable tumbler-disks and pin projections thereon for releasing said detents to allow the locking memher to turn.

7. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated locking member, spring-detents therefor, rotatable tum bler-disks, projections on said tumbler-disks registrable with the perforations in said locking member, and means for rotating the tumbler-disks.

8. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated locking-disk, detents therefor, rotatable tumbler-disks having pin projections adapted to register with the perforations in the locking-disk, a spindle, means carried by said spindle for operating said tumbler-disks and said means having a limited movement independent of said tumbler-disks.

9. In a lock, thetcombination of a locking member, rotatable tumbler disks having means to engage and release said member and means for operating said tumbler-disks said means including a rotatable reciprocablc spindle, a fixed perforated part on said spindle and a plurality of projections carried by said part and interposable in the path of stop means carried on the tumbler-disks.

10. In a lock, the combination with a locking member of tumbler-disks having a limited rotatable movement independentof each other, a rotatable reciprocable spindle coaxial with said disks, a means whereby said tumbler-disks may be moved in unison and means carried by the tumbler-disks to en gage and release the locking member.

11. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable locking member, rotatable tumblerdisks, a spindle, a disk rigid with said spindle, a plurality of projections on said fixed disk interposable in the path of stop means on the tumbler-disks, interengaging means of said tumbler-disks whereby their movement relative to each other is limited and means operatable by the tumbler-disks for releasing the locking member.

12. In a lock, the combination with a looking member of tumbler-disks, a spindle, a disk rigid with said spindle, said rigid disk having an annular row of perforations, a plurality of pin projections adjustable in said perforations, interengaging stops on the tumbler-disks and means operatable by the tumbler-disks to release the locking members.

13. In a lock, the combination of a rigid part, countersunk spring detents carried thereby, a rotatable perforated locking member, a spindle, a sleeve embracing said spindle, a non-rotatable collar slidable lengthwise of said sleeve, tumbler-disks rotatable on said collar and movable therewith, projections on said tumbler-disks to engage the spring-detents and release the locking member, interengaging stops onthe disk-tumblers, a disk rigid with the spindle and having a plurality of adjustable projections interposable in the path of a radial projection on one of said disks.

14. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated. locking member, means to engage the perforations in said member, a

spindle, rotatable tumblerdisks operatable by said spindle, projections on the several tumbler-disks to engage the perforations in the locking member and said locking member having concentric annular rows of depressions on its surfaceadjacent to said projections and in the loci of said projections.

15. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable perforated locking member, a spindle, rotatable tumbler-disks operable by the spindle and means for locating the several projections opposite their respective holes in the locking member said means including a stationary key-post and key and stop means on the disk to engage the said key.

16. In a lock, the combination of a looking member, tumbler-disks and means for operating the same, of a combination finding means including a key adapted to be pivotally supported relative to the tumbler-disks and stops on said disks to engage with said key.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM AMSTALDEN. Witnesses:

W. H. HUEG. W. H. MOONEY. 

